unexpected

It has been an unexpected week (well, the week itself was not unexpected, but the events of the week were), so I have chosen the quote for today accordingly.

There is a popular American proverb that people like to quote, especially when something unexpected (and usually unwanted) happens:

"Everything happens for a reason."

And these words can begin to sound very trite, like a bit of canned comfort food, which isn't really very comforting at all. The intent is well-meaning, but the words are seemingly empty...because really, don't we want to know what that reason is?

So, I add a second quote to accompany the proverb:

"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble."-Plautus

I think that, taken together, these quotes become more meaningful. If we have patience in the midst of the trouble or unexpected events, we often discover the reason or need for what has happened...or, even if the reason never becomes clear to us, we may at least find the good that can come of the situation.

Lord, grant me patience.

And with patience, let there be peace.

largeness

I decided to pick a random quote today, because I'm feeling a little goofy. So, the quote for the day is:

"Never eat more than you can lift." -Miss Piggy (somehow, I think she didn't always follow her own advice...but I digress)

I picked this quote in honor of the fact that I just pulled a gargantuan zucchini out of my garden the other day...I mean, it was huge. It was practically an exact replica of Captain Caveman's club (I resisted the urge to hold it over my head and yell "Captain Caaaaaaaveman"...I thought it might frighten my next door neighbor's chihuahua too much. Chihuahuas are already really nervous dogs, so the sight of a tall human waving an enormous zucchini over her head and yelling might be just a little too much for the little dog to take). So, I abstained from my classic cartoon figure impersonation, and instead took the zucchini inside and chopped up some of it to sautee with a little garlic and olive oil.

I think I will be eating on it for a week. Zucchini pancakes, anyone?

contentment

It happened again today. I was sitting in my office, not really doing anything out of the ordinary, when it struck me. I feel content. Every now and then, and perhaps even in the oddest of times, this feeling of contentment will come over me. Sometimes, it is brief and fleeting, like a butterfly flitting in and out of my soul...while other times, the feeling comes and sits for a while in my heart.

All is well. Life is good. Things are as they should be. Be still. Enjoy. Savor this moment.

And so, I decided to do a quote search on contentment, and this is one I found:

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have." -Anonymous

So the challenge for the day is to take your focus off of the things that you think you want or need right now, and instead, look long and hard at what you already have. Stop thinking, just for a moment, about where you are trying to go or where you think you should be, and instead, look around and enjoy the beauty of where you are in this moment. Count those blessings. Look at how full the glass is (if your perspective is right, it might even seem to be overflowing). Perform an inventory on your life and your heart.

And don't be too surprised if you begin to feel the fluttering of contentment in your own soul...

satisfaction

I'm feeling a posting moment. Perhaps it is because my lunch was not so satisying, so I am trying to find other ways to satisfy myself right now. (side note: Summer lunches in elementary schools are not exactly exciting...unless, of course, you get excited by freeze-fried hamburgers and 5-day-old pecan pie...in which case, I am very sorry for you).

I don't know if today's quote is really a quote...it's more of a prayer that has come across my path a few times, and I liked it so much that I printed it out and placed it next to my computer. I find that reading these words always brings a sense of peace to my soul:

St. Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you...
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God...
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

May these words also bring you peace within...and may you find many things today that satisfy your belly...and your soul.

I would share my peanut butter and banana bagel...but, well, I'm just too hungry. :)

time to rest

Dearest quote crew-

Since today is the last official day of school, and the last official day of May, I though it would also make sense for it to be the last official day for the QOTD e-mailings. Now, as we all know, I have a slight addiction to quotes, and it is not entirely feasible for me to quit cold turkey, so I will continue to update the website from time to time, whenever I happen upon a quote that inspires me (or when I am feeling completely uninspired to do work and need a distraction).

Today, we are going way back in the time machine for our quote:

"Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." -Ovid

Everyone needs periods of rest...it is vital to our bodies and our souls. Sometimes, I think we struggle against rest...we try to fill every free moment with some type of activity or task. Personally, I have trouble sleeping in on days off, because I feel like I am wasting away the day, and if I take time to just lay on the couch and watch tv for too long, I feel guilty that I have not been productive. But rest is just as important as any other activity, and we need it as much for our mental and spiritual health as we do for our physical health.

So, this summer, my wish for you is that you will find rest. Beautiful, peaceful, refreshing and revitalizing rest. Rest for your body and soul.

And now, as I close, I will quote Carol Burnette's sign-off at the end of her show, "I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh and sing a song. Seems we just got started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say 'so long'."

Have fabulous, memorable summers...and drop us a line when you have a chance!